Telephone shoulder rest



May 10, 1960 R. 1.. SOLAR! 2,936,344

TELEPHONE SHOULDER REST Filed March 51, 1959 INVENTOR. f4 r/va/vp 1 50142 4r 7 o/a/viys United States This invention relates to telephone shoulder rests, and

includedin the objects of this invention are: First, to provide a telephone shoulder rest wherein the shoulder-engaging element is formed of a flexible member suspended in an are between its ends so as to conform readily to the usersshoulder.

Second, to provide a telephone shoulder rest which by means of a single screw may be adjusted in position, then clamped firmly to a telephone hand set.

Third, to provide a telephone shoulder rest which may be readily arranged for use on either the left or right shoulder of the user.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a telephone handset shown in outline with the shoulder rest shown in position thereon;

Figure 2 is an end view of the shoulder rest as it would appear in position on a telephone handset;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view through 33 of Figure 2 with portions in elevation;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through 5-5 of Figure 3.

A telephone handset 1 on which the shoulder rest is used includes a mouthpiece 2 and an earpiece 3 joined by a connecting handle 4. The shoulder rest is joined to the central portion of the handle and includes a hollow post 5 which is essentially square in cross section. One end of the post 5 is notched, as indicated by 6, to conform to a portion of the handle 4.

The extremities of the notched end 6 form fingers 7 and 8, the finger 7 extending axially of the post 5 adjacent one side and the finger 8 extending laterally from the opposite side of the post. The finger 8 is provided with a slot 9 adjacent the post.

A strap 10 is adapted to encircle the handle 4 and is provided with a hook end'11 which fits into the slot 9. The strap 10 extends from its hook end 11 around the connecting handle 4 and upwardly into the hollow post 5. This end terminates in a laterally folded portion or end 12. A retainer flap 13 is punched out of the metal of the strap 10 and folded into a position parallel with the folded end 12. A nut 14 is retained between the folded end 12 and the flap 13.

The end of the post 5 opposite from its notched end 6 is closed, as indicated by 15, and is provided with a short upstanding guide boss 16, preferably square in cross section. The guide boss 16 is provided with side ribs 17.

An arched support frame 18 is provided in which is formed a longitudinal slot 19 bordered by inwardly directed ribs 20. The side ribs 17 of the guide boss 16 ride in the slots 19 above the marginal ribs 20 so that the supporting frame 18 may be moved circumferentially within the limits of the slot 19. The marginal ribs 20 meat 2,936,344 Patented May 10, '1 961) "ice terminate short of one end of the slot 19 so that the support frame 18 may be fitted onto the guide boss 16.

A bolt 21 having a head 22 and a washer 23 is adapted to extend downwardly through a clearance opening 24 provided in the guide boss 16. The screw-threaded end of the bolt 21 extends downwardly into the post 5 to engage the nut 14. By drawing upwardly on the nut 14, the strap or band 10 is drawn tightly around the handle 4 so as to secure the post 5 firmly in position. Also the washer 23 overlies the margins of the slot 19 so as to secure the frame 18 in a selected position'on the extended or closed end 15 of the post. 5.

The circumferential extremities of the arched support frame 18 form tongues 25 and 26. Fitted over the support frame 18 is a flexible stirrup or strap 27 formed of rubber or other elastomer. Pockets 28 and 29 are molded in the ends of the stirrup or strap 27 and dimensioned to fit over the tongues 25 and 26 so that the strap 27 is supported hammockwise between the extremi-- ties of the frame 18; that is, the strap 27 is suspended from the tongues 25 and 26 and does not touch the support frame 18 intermediate its ends.

The stirrup or strap 27 is provided with a slot 30 coinciding with the slot 19 so that a screw driver may be inserted therethrough for tightening the bolt or screw 21. The support frame 18 and the strap 27 taper from one arcuate extremity toward the other, that is, one end is narrower than the other, as shown best in Figures 1 and 2. Also the strap 27 is provided with marginal flanges 31.

The shoulder rest is installed on a telephone handset by first loosening the strap or band 10 and unhooking the hook end 11 from the slot 9. The strap 10 is then passed around the handle 4 and rehooked in the slot 9. The screw or bolt 21 is turned to draw the strap 10 to a preliminary position to steady the post 5 on the handset. The frame 18 is then moved circumferentially to the desired position determined by trying the handset and shoulder rest on the users shoulder. When the desired adjustment is completed, the bolt 21 is turned further to tighten the strap 10.

The shoulder rest as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is intended for use on the left shoulder of the user. If it is desired to support the handset from the right shoulder of the user, the frame 18 is removed from the guide boss 16 and turned and then replaced. The strap 10 is then passed in the opposite direction around the connecting handle 4.

It is preferred to locate the wider end of the frame 18 and its strap 27 toward the front side of the user's shoulder. Due to the fact that the strap 27 is flexible and supported only at its ends, it readily adapts itself to the curvature of the users shoulder so as to rest conveniently thereon.

While the surface of the strap 27 is shown as smooth, in practice various designs may be embossed thereon. If the shoulder rest is supplied to the user as a good will advertisement, a suitable ad may be incorporated in the embossed surface of the strap 27, or such ad may be carried on one or more sides of the post 5.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the construction set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A shoulder rest for use on telephones, comprising: a post; means for securing said post to a telephone had set; an arcuate supporting frame secured to said post; and a flexible strap including pockets at its ends adapted to fit over the ends of said frame, said strap being dimensioned longitudinally to hangsfree of said frame intermediate its ends. V

2. A shoulder rest for use on telephones, comprising: a post; means for securing said post to a telephone handset; a :retainer; boss at-athe extended :end of i said "post; anarcuate supporting frame having-an arcuate slot .fitting said boss for circumferential -adjnstment(of said .frame;

' post and adapted "to wrap 4 about said handle, its other end extending into said post; screw means extending into said post from its closed end engageable with said strap to draw said strap into said zpost thereby to tighten said strap about said handle; an arcuate supporting frame adapted to be fitted under the head of said screw means thereby to secure said frame to said post upon securing said post to said handle; and \a flexible strap including pockets at its ends adapted 'tofi't over the ends of said frame, said ntrap ibeing dimensioned dongitudinally to hang free of said frame intermediate its ends.

5. A shoulder restforte'lephone handsetrhaving a mouthpiecegan earpiece, and .a connecting handle, comprising: a hollow post closed at one end and notched saidpost from-its ,closedLend engageable with .saidstrap at its open end to 'conform with 'a portion of the periph cry of said handle; a strap anchored at one end to said post and adapted to wrap about said handle, its other end extending into said post; screw means extending into said post ,ftom its closed end engageable withsaid'strap to draw saidrstrapsaid post thereby to tighten said strap-:about said handle; a retainer boss :at theextended end sof said spost; an areuate supporting frame having an ,arcuate slot fitting saidabo ss for circumferential adjustment of said frameysaidtscrew means having a head engageable with said :frame ato :secure said tframc-tossaid post upon securringsaid-gpost to .said handle; and ..a tcush ioning means carried by said frame.

Noneferences .cite'd. 

